Crump, 1st Black Nk Supervisor, 76

PROVIDENCE FORGE — Samuel Wilson Crump, the first African-American to serve on the Board of Supervisors of New Kent County since Reconstruction, died Tuesday. He was 76.

Mr. Crump was on the board from 1956-1963.

James H. "Jimmy" Burrell, a current New Kent supervisor, commented on his mentor, "For him to be involved that far back took a lot of forward thinking." He also attributed his own past role as the first African-American chairman of the board to Mr. Crump. "That wouldn't have been possible if he hadn't broken the ice," said Burrell.

In 1940 he began working at Newport News Shipbuilding, where he was chief clerk in the material support department. His career was interrupted in 1943 for Navy duty in the Pacific. He returned after the war and was at the shipyard for a total of 44 years, the last 10 as Department 053 supervisor.

Mr. Crump was employed at Westminister Canterbury in Richmond at the time of his death.

He was very involved with the New Elam Baptist Church in New Kent, where he served as a deacon for 41 years and also as a church clerk.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, W. Birthel Crump; four daughters, Phyllis Burrell of New Kent, Saundra Saunders of Richmond, Willie Anderson of Hampton and Anita Lynn of Virginia Beach; three sons, Elton I. Crump Sr. of Kilmornock, Stephan Crump of Tampa, Fla., and Anthony Crump of Virginia Beach; two brothers, Robert Crump of Newport News and Benjamin F. Crump of New Kent; two sisters, Hazel Tyler of Boston, Mass., and Elaine Palmer of Baltimore, Md.; cousin Ruby Banks of New Kent; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Elam Baptist Church, New Kent, with the Rev. Charles E. Goodman officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends will assemble at the church at 1:30 p.m.

Viewing will be from 1:30 to 7 p.m. today at Forrest Brothers Funeral Home, West Point, and at the church from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the New Elam Baptist Church Building Fund.